The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is calling on residents and visitors to help track one of the state’s rarest and most visually striking reptiles: the Rainbow Snake.
The nonvenomous species, known scientifically as Farancia erytrogramma, is semi-aquatic and can grow 3 to 4 feet long. Its iridescent black or violet-blue body is marked by three bold red stripes running along its back, while its chin and lip scales are yellow with violet spots—making it nearly impossible to confuse with other snakes in Florida.
Though harmless to humans, rainbow snakes play an important ecological role. They primarily feed on American eels, a species whose numbers, like the snakes themselves, have been declining in Florida waters. Beyond habitat loss, researchers warn that fungal diseases have also been contributing to the decline of rainbow snake populations in other states, raising concern for their long-term survival.
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Kevin Enge, a research scientist with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, said public involvement is critical to learning more about the elusive reptile. “We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state,” Enge said. “Every sighting report gives us valuable data about their current distribution and helps us assess the health of the species in Florida.”
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FWC is encouraging anyone who spots a rainbow snake to take photos and share them through the commission’s reporting system. By submitting sightings, officials say the public can play a direct role in conserving this unique species.
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For more details or to report a sighting, Floridians can visit the FWC’s wildlife reporting page or follow its official channels for updates.
